Commemorative gathering marks 77 years since sinking of steamer “Cetinje” in Tivat Bay
Organized by Tivat's OBNOR and the Municipality of Tivat, a commemorative gathering was organized today on the occasion of the 77th anniversary of the sinking of the steamship "Cetinje", the biggest maritime accident in Montenegro. At the local cemetery in Donja Lastva, where the remains of the victims are buried, wreaths were laid by the mayor of Tivat Zeljko Komnenovic, the president of OBNOR Mato Brguljan and the captain of the frigate of the General Staff of the Army of Montenegro Zeljko Pekovic.
On Sunday morning, December 10, 1944, the steamer "Cetinje" encountered a German mine in the Tivat Bay while sailing. More than 200 passengers died in this maritime accident, and among the dead were locals, members of the NOVJ, as well as members of the Italian Garibaldi division. OBNOR President Mato Brguljan and President of the Italian Community of Montenegro Aleksandar Dender addressed the audience at today's commemoration.
"Captain Bozo Paparella, seven passengers and three crew members survived the sinking of" Cetinje "with severe injuries. The tragedy would have been less if there had been no storm at sea that day, so most of the passengers were sheltered under the deck of the ship at the time of the accident, "said Brguljan, emphasizing that the problem a 350 kg magnetic mine. Thus, the ship "Cetinje" was cut in half and sank in 3 minutes. "
The OBNOR organization proposed that a new monument be erected to the victims of this tragedy, as well as that it be included in history textbooks.
"Fate did not allow the members of the Garibaldi unit to return to their homes in Italy immediately after the end of the fighting, but they remained here forever united in death with the victims of different religions and nations. "Death has equated all differences for life here," said Aleksandar Dender.
The commemorative gathering was attended, among others, by the Vice Presidents of Tivat Vladimir Arsić and Goran Božović, Consul General of the Consulate General of the Republic of Serbia in Herceg Novi Zoran Dojčinović, Minister Counselor of the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia Mićo Rogović, Consul Counselor of the Consulate General of the Republic of Croatia in Kotor Zlatko Kožuhar. and the presidents of the Herceg Novi and Kotor branches of OBNOR, Đoko Zloković and Pero Uljarević.
